He is. He sent this fish an email (is doing well, btw) and is happy about Sokratis.

Wait a minute, is Papastathopoulos (love to type his name, it's a challenge in itself!) officially a Milan player?

Not yet.

The problem is that we never rely on our primavera players once they are sent away on loan. Sure, Antonini came back.... 10 years later. Abate was used as a right back whereas we brought him back because of his great performances for Torino as a right winger. Di Gennaro... yeah, right.

Correct me if I am wrong, but what is so different this time? Zigoni is Genoa-bound as well, judging from the rumors. Is this some sort of favour after the Amelia loan? We're talking about 4 players /no matter how inexperienced they are/ + 4.5 mil. for 1 player who is not even in Genoa's Top 3 defenders.

By the way, Legati is not a primavera player, he has enough experience to stay and be Nesta's alternative and yet he will most probably leave /on loan, of course/. No excuse for Galliani and co. They promised a couple of primavera players would make it to the first team this fall, but aside from De Vito, I really don't see this happening.

its official on wikipedia

Nesta FDL, have you actually seen Legati play?

I think you're getting too upset about something that isn't that huge a deal.

We're not loaning out the very best of the kids anyway - that'd be Verdi. He's staying put.

Maybe. But someone must have seen him play since he is in Milan instead of Astori - a player we could've easily re-acquired, but decided to leave him in Cagliari for one more year /and let's not forget who is our new coach/.

Verdi is 99 % leaving too because of his physique, much like Paloschi. I personally don't believe that next summer, we will bring back Paloschi, Verdi, Astori, Albertazzi, Strasser, Oduamadi and Zigoni. Most of them /if not all/ won't play for Milan soon, trust me. And since we obviously don't have the money for 'big time' tranfers, what's left? Fighting for CL spot every year is not exactly 'building Milan's future.' That's what upsets me. Maybe I'm getting too emotional over small details, but 4 years without a single trophy is simply disastrous for a club like Milan.

hahaha I just write Papa or Sokartis.
so do they

Dinho is staying and Dzeko won't come.
link

Still think you're getting too worked up, FDL. I'm glad Astori's staying where he is - he wasn't a regular starter for Cagliari in the first place.

There has been no mention at all of loaning Verdi anywhere that I've seen -- if you know differently, please provide a url.

As for ALbertazzi, there's been some speculation (article some time ago on milannews) that he's not developing as quickly as people thought he would. If that's the case then a loan is a good thing. Why force kids who really aren't ready onto the first team and put them in a no-win situation?

If they wont come back soon that'd be becouse they will not be prepared for Milan.

No, I agree about Astori. The guy's a walking trouble. Made a penalty in the first game and scored an own-goal in the second. Yes, I was happy for our 6 points, but kinda scared about this kid's future in red-black. I mean that Legati is still nobody compared to Astori, playing in Serie B and having 0 appearences for Monaco and yet, we decided to bring him back, so I guess we must have seen something, otherwise he would have been sold or loaned like Darmian, Digao and the rest.

As for Verdi - I read in milannews, I think. It makes sense. Being a benchwarmer for the whole season is a step back for this kid's big future. He plays as a second striker which means tough competition /Pato/.

This made me laugh out loud!

when did we spend this money

The thing is that Sokratis is much better than those kids and much better than the young defenders we already have. I'm guessing the reason fester is willing to sacrifice the kids in a co-own is because he's afraid that the greek's price will sky rocket if he has another good season.

He's only 22 and has alot of potential. I would rate him as one of the most promising CB in the world right now and he proved a little bit of his calibre in the world cup.


Also on the kids:

Albertazzi= yes a big loss but if push comes to shove, we'll spend the money to return him if he's really worth it.

Oudamadi= good deal imo, not really that good anyways. Wouldn't have seen the field if he had stayed.

Legati= not a school kid, and is garbage. Should be shipped off asap.

Strasser= big loss! If gattuso goes, we'll have to look for a replacement. But on the bright side, he will get alot of first team experience, which is ideal for a midfielder. He'll be a milan player in the future, whether we get him on cheap or splash the cash.

verdi= god given talent. I doubt he'll be going anywhere, he's way too good to let go.


Zigoni= Needs experience. He's not a flashy striker nor is he gifted. He's a simple poacher like Matri who will get better over time.





The two kids that i'll be extremely pissed if we get rid of will be fossati and verdi.

If it meant getting Dzeko, then I don't think it'd be a mistake. If we managed to swap Huntelaar and Dinho for Dzeko and Podolski, I'd be for it. I rate Dzeko that highly, and I'm sure Podolski could at the VERY least top what Hunter did for us last season.

Granted, it would mean that without Dinho we would have to quit playing our slow build up 4-3-3 style with our high line of defense that gets ripped open with regularity whenever Nesta is not there.

With target man Dzeko and the flexibility of having Podoloski, we could play counter-attacking side with just Pato and Dzeko supported by Pirlo (errr, yeah he hasn't proven himself there so I know this is a weakness in theory, but think Sneijder) - the kind that truly takes you far in cup competitions (think Inter). OR we could play offensively against the minnows with Podolski on the left, and sacrifice a defensive midfielder. (Think Inter when Pandev plays).

Part of the problem Pirlo had last year was that when he looked forward, Dinho was static, Borriello was checking to him, and Pato was the only one trying to make a run forward. If Dinho goes, and there are 3 pacy forwards making meaningful runs, then Pirlo can make up for the creativity of Dinho. I think...

If it happened to where Pirlo was man-marked out of a match (like say in Italy), well we have a world class substitute in Clarence Seedorf whose ability to play going forward would throw off teams who were used to seeing us playing with 2 DMs.

I have no problem if we revert to a very defensive style. I don't want to see Inter 6 - Milan 0, or Man U 7 - Milan 2 next season. Dinho up front means we attack slowwwwly. Athletic counter attacking teams ripped us to shreads. So I say, let's become one.

Just my musings.

Ok so it's all well and good moving Pirlo in the hole. But who will be playing in the 3 man midfield? Seedorf and 2 DMs? That would be the slowest midfield in the league. All the creativity responsability would be on Pirlo's shoulders as we wouldn't have anyone in attack who could provide those inch perfect passes that split a defence wide open like Dinho does. Pirlo is better at playing the longer balls rather the short ones, that's why I think he shoud stay in the midfield but having the 2 DMs behind him to cover him. Pirlo's problem is that he wasn't being used properly, especially under Carlo in the xmas tree were you had Rino and Ambro next to him but he was stuck in front of the defence doing all the work while Rino and Ambro are gallavanting into the opposition's box. Leo tried to move him to a lateral position but while it worked wonders for Ambro who imo did so well last season because he was being played in his natural position, it didn't really do much for pirlo who was being restricted.

Also you're saying that all the money that we get for Hunter and Dinho (2 positions that are not really that much of a problem for us since Dinho has been great and Hunter just needs time) would be spent on filling these 2 position where we don't really have a problem but not in the areas where we do actually have problems (central mid and defence)

Podolski would cost a lot and I'm 90% sure that it would be money down the drain as I can't see Podolski cutting it in Serie A. Dzeko is quality but we can forget about him. Wolfsburg would only probably give in if we offered them Pato in exchange. They're full of sh!t, the obviously don't need the cash. So unless Dzeko mans up and demands he be let go and threaten to bench himself if not then I can't see anyone getting him, not even Man City with their bucket loads of cash

Tuttomercatoweb quotes Padova's website as saying that Legati and DiGennaro have been loaned to them, both on co-ownership.

Okay so I understand that itd be a painfully slow midfield, but may I ask who is exceptionally fast in Inters? Cambiasso? no. Motta? no. Stankovic? no. Muntari? maybe, but not really. Sneijder? no.

I keep using their midfield as an example because like us: they are kind of old, have some good DMs, one or 2 pass masters that shoot from distance but do little else. Yet still, they go forward effectively. Why? Because of the movement of Milito, Eto'o, and the width of Maicon and to a lesser extend Zanetti/Chivu.

If we were to play a disciplined, compact style and then break forward in numbers with Pirlo orchestrating, it would work. They key would be disciplined full backs who defended well, but also provided width when necessary. With 2 defensive mids, our fullbacks would have freedom going forward. I think Antonini could do nicely in that attacking fullback role from the left (even though we could do better than him), and well in order for that style to work we really do need a disciplined but talented RB. Zambro is all defense. We don't have ANY right backs capable of getting up and down the flank. Abate i suppose, but he makes me nervous.

To be honest, regardless of whether the moves (in attack) that im advocating happen, I think a better RB is crucial. Pato is so isolated on the right. He wasn't able to build an understanding with our RB like Dinho was able to with Antonini. That's why Patos goals were always long balls from across the field, and rarely a result of nice build up play down the right.

Guys whats going on? Link

Albertazzi apparently isn't agreeing with the co ownership.

OH NO will this ruin the deal?

No clue at this point.

Madrid signed Leon, another one of our early targets. Also, City have started talking to Inter about Balotelli, which makes me believe that they have abandoned Dzeko.

All per goal.com

Yup. I can easily see us playing with a three-men attack supported by Pirlo and two defensive midfielders doing the dirty work. Granted, Pato and Podolski would have to track time to time and not just stay still like Dinho usually does. Also, Ambro would have to refrain himself from going forward that much like he usually did last season.



Looks pretty good to me. But like you said, we also need two advancing fullbacks. We've got Antonini on the left but we miss the rightback. And if Dzeko is coming, we'd have to look for someone with a EU-passport.

Oh, and by the way, it looks like Gattuso is this close from leaving. Whilst his agent is discussing terms with Olympiacos, Rino has flown to Germany to hear Wolfsburg's proposal, which could prove a positive factor in the Dzeko deal.

Link

You're focusing on Inter when they have different players in midfield and a monster of a fullback in Maicon. Not to mention very flexible strikers.

We don't have that. Our fullbacks wouldn't even make it on Inter's bench. Maicon just bombs forward while we have Zambro on the right who rarely goes past the midway line and Antonini who's greatness is 50% due to the chemistry him and Dinho have, and your system takes that chemistry out of the equation. Sneijder is different from Pirlo, Pirlo slows down the play a lot Sneijder is not fast himself but he plays a fast game, Seedorf is another player who slows the games down to a crawl, same goes for Ambro, Flamini is the only guys who tries to inject pace into the game.

Pato's goals mostly came from Dinho assists, on the counter, Pato makes the run, Dinho gets the ball in our own half and makes that cross field lobbed pass to Pato who latches on because he's a bullet in these situations. I think it's a very good weapon to have, and Pato's goals came from build up plays as well


That's different to putting Pirlo in the hole behind the strikers. It's what Lippi used to do with Pirlo and why he was so great with the Azzurri.

Also let's for a moment entertain the idea of us buying Dzeko and Podolski. That means we've bought 2 new players for areas that are basically 100% covered, thus spending all of our money from the Hunter/Dinho sales. Now we're in the same position we started in, good attack, midfield that lacks depth and isn't covered with the right players (desperate need for box-to-box player) and no quality fullbacks.

How is this in any way logical?


We shouldn't sell Rino to those A-holes unless they open the doors for Dzeko. F*** them and their self rightious BS!!

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2010/...thopoulos-for-5

Nice!

100% covered? I wouldn't say so. Borriello had a great season, but he's nowhere near as good as a world class striker, which Dzeko is. And don't get me started on Ronaldinho... Although I agree we should concentrate on rebuilding defense and midfield first, the idea of a Pato-Dzeko partnership would be like a dream come true.

Guys, don't forget about Lazzari. He is definetely closer to Milan than Podolski. Lazzari can play basically anywhere in the midfield which is very useful for us. It gives us not only the opportunity to use Pirlo as an attacing midfielder with two DMs doing ALL the dirty work, but it also allows us to build a connection between the midfield and Pato & Borriello even if Dinho leaves. 4-2-2-2 is perfect for a 'non-Dinho Milan'. It should at least be tested during the pre-season friendlies, especially if we sign Lazzari. Allegri's 3-4-3/3-5-1 is doomed to failure. We are too old for this **** /what a great line /. Silva - Nesta - Bonera with the help of Abate and Antonini who will be wingers sounds too SCI-FI even for a friendly game and Allegri is planning this to be our new line-up.

This is much better and it's only one of the many options that are better than 3-4-3:

--------------Ambro--------Flamini
--------------Pirlo----------Lazzari
------------Borriello------Pato

It looks promising as long as Flamini learns how to not get a red card every game. Pirlo gets more freedom, Lazzari fills Seedorf/Ronaldinho's spot and Pato returns to his natural second striker position. Most of his good games last season were a result of bad marking/defending. He was usually mediocre against good defenders.

Lazzari is not coming, as stated by Cellino. He will stay at Cagliari.

I might cry if we get Dzeko.

I prefaced my point entirely on the basis that its their "flexible" strikers AND Maicon that allow them to play that way. We agree that our fullbacks need to be better in attack, which is why i said that's still an issue. Dzeko would be that "flexible" forward for us.
1. You say we should keep Dinho, and spend on a box-box and a right back.
2. I say, we should spend on a right back. With another (insert pacy out and out forward - Rossi, Podolski, etc) and Dzeko instead of Dinho and Hunter, we wouldn't need a box-to-box.

Again, the Inter midfield is very slow. You say sneijder plays quickly, but that's because he eto'o and milito have an split-second understanding. Milito and Eto'o are constantly moving to position themselves to make runs as soon as the ball is heading to sneijder, and sneijder is able to make a quick one touch speculative pass/lob to them. That is something Pirlo is more than capable of considering his touch, passing ability, and pitch awareness.

And yes, I agree that the unmotivated Seedorf that we see week in-week out against the minnows plays very slowly. I would not start Seedorf regularly, as Pirlo would be the tre-quartista. Seedorf would be a sub. Until all of a sudden he awes us with game breaking (pace changing) performances like the one when he came on as a sub in the 1st leg against Manchester. That's my point, Seedorf should be a sub. Seedorf CAN speed play up when he wishes to, but often times just doesn't. A spot on the bench and a cameo role is the situation in which he shows that ability most often, which is why I want for him a substitutes role.

You keep saying that Ronaldinho and Hunter play in positions that are already covered. By that logic, you rightly say that its our midfield that needs help, not our attack. This is why you see a need to sign a world class box-box midfielder. Dinho isn't gonna run, Pirlo isn't, so we need someone in midfield beside Ambro and Flam to run too, right? Correct. However...

Everyone here was lamenting how Pirlo was being wasted last season under Leo. Well when Pirlo wasn't being wasted, he had Kaka, Sheva, and Pippo making runs that he was an expert at picking out. He was the primary creative midfield force. Now with Dinho, who doesn't move, Pirlo's job is to simply pick him out - which he usually does with a simple lateral pass. His long ball skills aren't on display.

Our static forward creative force (Dinho) also has this long ball ability, and tactical dribbling ability which allowed him to make those passes to Pato which is a weapon you appreciate. Now I agree, last season, that was a nice weapon to have.

However, with Podolski, Dzeko, and Pato making those runs, Pirlo playing more advanced, with two DMs as shelter, you don't think our strikers would get those same nice long ball goals from Pirlo that he used to be capable of before Dinho's presence started to encroach on his game? After all, that's exactly what Pirlo is a master of. The fact that Dinho came in, and essentially took those duties from Pirlo from an advanced position is EXACTLY WHY Pirlo looked so lost so often.

I contend, that with three pacy forward, Pirlo would make up for all of Dinho's assists, and Dinho's goals would be spread out even further between the three more pure goal scorers - just like "the Pirlo of old" used to have it.

We don't NEED Dinho to make these assists, because in order for him to, we require a slow, predictable passing game that necessitates getting him the ball for almost every attack. With Pirlo having three different options going forward, he would have far more options to pick out with his passing, and we could break down the field more unpredictably - instead of ALWAYS THROUGH THE LEFT.

I challenge your posit that Pato scored through build up play down the right side of the field. He almost NEVER did. Most of his goals were results of the play being switched to his side of the field in the final third. He never was able to link up and build an attack with an attacking fullback down his flank. He has no support. He either makes a pacy run and hopes a ball lands on his foot from the other side of the field, OR he picks up the ball way too far back, tries to dribble a little, shows a little naivety, loses the ball on occasions, and all of a sudden the forum erupts that Pato has not developed properly.

My point at the end of all this explanation is this: If Dinho is replaced by a pacy goal scorer, Pirlo becomes our creative mid, we play a three man DM, DM, Pirlo midfield, and DO NOT NEED A BOX-BOX midfielder. The running that box-to-box mid would have provided will instead be contributed by a forward. Ambro and Flam provide the cover, and we play compact. When Pirlo gets the ball, the forwards make coordinated runs with our full backs, and we break forward that way. We don't need to rely on a players dribbling the ball all the way into the opposition half to supply the strikers. Attacking fullbacks can do some of that. Sure, Kaka spoilt us with that kind of play, but attacking mids like lampard, sneijder, juninho/deco (in their primes) have all proven its not necessary.

If Pirlo is underperforming, in comes Seedorf to prove that he's the better trequartista. At this point, I feel that pitting Pirlo and Seedorf into direct competition with eachother for a starting position is the best way to get the best out of them.

Yes, i know the defense wasn't addressed. But where you would say we should spend on a Box-Box mid, I say we spend on a good RB. Basically, just as Leonardo said in his first press conference as Milan manager, We need to sign attacking fullbacks. When he said that, he was right. Cuz we actually have a good mid and attack, but need width. Without the width, our pass masters have no time, and no quality width players to take the pressure off them.

Okay, i've said about all i can on this so let me close with: Han, I basically agree with your points. We both agree that we need a right back.

1. If we do keep Dinho, its a box-to-box we need. that i agree with.
2. But i'd rather have Dzeko. That may mean sacrificing Dinho. I'm the first guy to fully appreciate Dinho's job for us last ear. But given our current midfield personnel, I think Pirlo can make all the assists Dinho made last year given a more forward role, and 3 forward options. Considering we have DM cover, we wouldn't need a box to box if Dinho leaves.

I see it as milan with Dinho vs. Milan with Dzeko. Look at my sig. I appreciate Dinho. But for the sake of this club's future, I prefer the latter. If it's possible to have them both, that's dream world. But these day's Milan hasn't been far from a dreamy club to follow.

Ok...I love the discussion above.

But seriously...you're all talking about changing the first XI tactics/personnel/style of play. We've still got f_all for depth.

What happens in both your formations if Pato gets injured?? The same thing that happened this season. We were first...we end up 3rd.

Exactly. I fail to see the logic in those moves. We could sell: Rino, Kaladze, Oddo, Jankulovski, Ronaldinho and Huntelaar, of which the letter two are the only ones who can bring us some "real" money. Then waste it on Podolski who has many question marks above his name and definitively plays on a area we have covered. Ronaldinho for Podolski? No way!

Also, I think Pato is more efficient as SS then a typicall winger.
Milan still lacks depth to play such a strategy - so I'm not for it at all.

What? I thought Strasser was supposed to replace Rino and be vice-Ambro?! does this have something to do with Albertazzi refusing to go to Genoa on a co-owndership deal?

EDIT: although... I can't complain. I naturally rate Flamini way higher than Strasser!

Yes we are covered! Hunter/Bori/Dinho/Pato/Pippo that's a good attacking line. Last season every other area but this was our problem. What you're saying is that we sell 2 players in attack and replace them with another 2, thus spending all our money while remaining basically in the same position we started in before those moves were made. Now we have no money left and the fullbacks and midfield are still as mediocre as when we started.

Dzeko is a dream for me as well, but we're never going to get him, not with the current management and with Wolfsburg so unwilling to do business with anyone for any price. That being said Pato and Dzeko are still not creative enough, we'd still need Dinho. Podolski still cannot do what Dinho does, and if we go from Dinho to him that would be a major step down in quality if you ask me. Dzeko is obviously a major upgrade from Hunter, but if there's no one behind him to give him that killer ball then he'll be just as impotent as Hunter


Not going to quote it all as we'll take another page

All I have to say is that I agree with some of the things you're saying and disagree with others.

The biggest problem I have with what you're saying is that you're pointing the finger at Dinho when it comes to how Pirlo is being wasted. When that is untrue as Pirlo has been struggling for a while now. Even under Carlo with Kaka and no Dinho. Pirlo was being wasted. When we played the xmas tree, Pirlo was being shackled, and this while having 2 DMs to "protect" him. Instead Carlo's system had Pirlo working like a dog in front of the defence while Rino and Ambro are ridiculing themselves on the wings

Pirlo's problem is not Dinho, it's the system we've had in place for a while now. Boriello and Pato still make runs, even if Dinho is mostly static, Pirlo has the ability to pick them out easily but because of the position he's in, he's either being marked out or has defensive duties before even thinking of running forward and picking out said players, that's why he usually goes for the easy diagonal to Dinho, because he's ristricted.

Whether Dinho stays or goes, we need a box to box. We do not have DMs that are like De Rossi for example who attacks and can make a killer pass while is a monster defensively. Flamini can move the ball forward but still he has that something missing that does not make him special like De Rossi or any other top class DM out there. Ambro is a 1 dimensional DM, he can go forward but not effectively unless he's having a blinder of a game.

I don't know if it'll happen. Whatever the case, selling Rino, Kaladze, Oddo, Janku, and Hunter I support.

The rumors about Podolski coming if Hunter leaves (Came out of Galliani's mouth) could be bs. The rumor that if Ronnie leaves we'll sign either Ibra or Dzeko could be complete BS.

Let me put it this way. There's only one condition I'm willing to see Dinho gone, and if its because he has to be sacrificed for Dzeko. And mind you only Dzeko - the guy has earned my support for being a devout Milanist.

Ibrahimovic the cocky scum can stay away at all costs.

im sorry, i don't know what came over me!



Yeah, I agree with your assessment that Flamini could be that guy to bring the ball forward, but you're right about him missing that final "class" ingredient. None of our managers have been able to bring out a level comparable to what Arsene Wenger was able to bring out in him. Whether that's on him or on our managers is tough to say - he hasn't been given consistent playing chances, but when he does play he's a bit of a wild card. You'll realize though, if he in fact DID replicate his Arsenal form, he'd suffice.

Rino is leaving for sure. Let's hope Kaha, Janku and Hunter follow his steps so we could finally build a solid team. No Ibrahimovic.

I think that Benitez will fail this season with Inter.He isn't a choach who know do win the Scudetto.We need to make another two acquisitions this season.A defensive midfielder considering departure of Rino Gattuso and a classic strikes as it is DZEKO.We must remove from team some old player and Ronaldinho,he has no reason to play more,wanted to go to WC but failed,and we should benefit as much from he.

I think our transfers campaign would be so :

In : Amelia,Yepes,Sokratis,Biglia(Ledesma),Dzeko(hope) or another striker

Out : Oddo,Jankulovski,Kaladze,Gattuso,Ronaldinho,Huntelaar or Boriello

Oddo is staying.

Why do you think that, FDL?

We renew the contrat of Massimo Oddo to raise his price,to sell more expensive anywhere or to introduce easily in exchange with someone.

I'm not sure if Oddo have extended his contract. First of all it wasn't issued on official site. And here he still has a contract till June 2011.

Why Huntelaar. I'd rather sell Borriello and earn more from him, than sell Huntelaar for less.
Either way both Borriello and Huntelaar will be used as backups next season.

btw , IMO our managment is confused. They don't know wich to sign , Dzeko or Ibrahimovic. Both of them are valued 35 mil. I hope Berlusconi is looking forward for Ibra.

I don't. Too close to 30, toxic personality, unreasonably high wage demands.

I disagree with both parts. Borriello preforms well for us, while Huntelaar didn't. We know we can play well with Borriello as starter, but we don't know if that will happen with Huntelaar also. Borriello adds things what Pato needs from his partner, while Huntelaar won't.

Dzeko is much younger, and also I simply dislike Zlatan, but both will be good player for us, but Dzeko is younger and faster. I want Dzeko.

28 yo, proven striker, guaranteed success, he deserves that wage the problem is that we don't have enough to give him so if he comes he'll prove the he doesn't play for money.

EDIT:



So if we're willing to sign Ibra or Edin , Borriello will play as starter too ? Borriello is very good player when used as striker agains lame defences. And we're not sure if he will accept to play as backup. In the other hand we have Huntelaar , younger, more talented, with lots of potential, ready to stay in the bench and prove himslef when needed.

Zlatan is better finisher, very good assister when needed, has more powerfull shoots and the most important he played in Serie A , we all know he belongs here.

Proven? YES, I agree.
Guarenteed success? NO, I disagree. There is NEVER a garantuee. Enough proven players don't repeat what they used to do. But I think Zlatan will do well, but I think the same about Dzeko who is long term the best solution and short term IMO not a worse solution than Zlatan.

Edin proved to be very good against german defences but who knows maybe he can't play against Italian defences. Ibra was the king of Serie A in last years, so that's why we're more "safe" and sure with him.

EDIT:

Mexes : I will never play for Juventus - link
I don't know if we're still linked with him after we're about to sign the Greek player with the most difficult last name ever